Alphacam 2018 R1

Automation Manager | Sub-Components

There is now the ability in Automation Manager to have a connection between ‘parent-child’ parts, as job files can now be added to another job file as a sub-component. This enhances the management of parts that should be manufactured in groups.

The sub-components have similar properties to the main components, such as layer mapping, along with material and nesting properties. The sub-components will be loaded automatically with the main ‘parent’ component.

Automation Manager | Drawing And Fittings

Drawings and fittings can now be added to specified datum points. When processing a job the fittings will automatically be inserted at a pre-defined position, and can also be used in parametric drawings. Alphacam also contains a small sample library of fitting types.

This new item of functionality allows parametric or constrained parts that require inserted fittings to be easily created.

Automation Manager | Machine Tables Collisions Avoidance

And there is a new option in Automation Manager to avoid machine table collisions, with the ability to check Z levels on toolpaths. The new Tolerance Collision Check can be selected from the Machine Table Collision Method drop-down list, and a Z-level tolerance and material Z0 specified...for example, at the top or bottom of the part. Users will be warned if any toolpaths cutting deeper than the material thickness plus the tolerance are detected.

Automation Manager | Preview Without Processing

Another enhancement to the Automation Manager in Alphacam 2018 R1 is being able to preview job files and sub-components without having to process the job, speeding up productivity. And users can also access 13 additional nesting extension options.

Nesting

Nesting itself has an important new feature allowing the nesting engine to automatically use the best available user-selected sheets. Previously, the sheets would be used in the order picked, and therefore, the nest wasn’t always optimised for best sheet usage. Now, users can select multiple sheets, and the nesting function automatically picks the best combination, which can significantly reduce material usage.

TimeStudy Function

Following customer requests, the TimeStudy function has now been reinstated as a 64-bit Addin, giving users their total machining time in a few seconds without any special settings or configuring reports. TimeStudy is a quick and easy way to report machining time, taking into account the units, Machine Tool Rapid Rate, Tool Change Time, Part Load/Unload Time and efficiency rate. It also displays the time specified to each operation, as well as the total machining time.

New Minimum 3D Bounding Rectangle

A new Geometry option creates the minimum 3D bounding rectangle to enclose solids and surfaces. The box can be aligned using feature extraction settings, and also defined by material. And additional stock can be specified in any of the bounding box faces. The new function means users can easily define the minimum amount of material needed to machine a solid or surface, and define the work volume required.

Cylindrical Parallel Strategy Improvements

The Cylindrical Parallel strategy for 3D machining has been improved to give easier control over the start/end Angles and CW/CCW direction. The start angle can be less or greater than the end angle, and the CW checkbox now dynamically updates the on-screen cutting area, providing graphical feedback on the area to be cut, and the tool’s starting position.

This simplifies toolpath creation by letting the user specify any combination of angles, and gives an appropriate graphical feedback on the machining area.

Lathes | Machine Dialogs Update

Turning dialogs now use the new machining dialogs style. Following the improvement in the milling C-Axis machining dialogs, the turning dialogs have all been updated and modernised, containing images and tooltips, which improve ease of use.

Lathes | New C/L Drilling And Tapping Cycles

The commands have been combined and a new cycle added, for pecking, boring and chamfering. This brings the center line drilling functionality close to matching the C-Y Axis drilling functions, and means all drilling options are available, which, before, could only be used in C-Axis and C/L drilling.

Stone | Guard Visualization Support

Guard visualization has an increased support when creating the disk cutting toolpaths, improving the Geometry Disk Cutting and the Surface Disk Cutting cycles. The Guard can also be visualised when selecting elements in layer mapping, and changing tools during an operation, along with selecting toolpath elements from the layers tab.

This helps users to graphically see the disk guard when creating toolpaths, and how the guard will be orientated during cutting.

Stone | Extra Profile Walls Passes

There is a new option for including extra passes at profile walls, when roughing in the Cut with Disk operation. These extra passes can be set irrespective of the specified width of cut, and ensures excessive stock is removed from the profile walls for finishing.

Users no longer have to create an extra operation or define a small width of cut to remove unwanted stock at the walls.